Passenger sheds in a shambles

Tribune News Service

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Jammu, March 3

Passenger sheds constructed by the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) a few years back in main areas of the winter capital for convenience of people travelling by public transport are in a shambles.

Not even a single repair has been done since the sheds were set up. Some passenger sheds have no seats, while others have seats but the roof is completely damaged.

The passenger shed constructed at Gole Market is a fit example of poor maintenance. The seats in the shed are completely damaged, while the roof is also in a bad condition. It is also one of the busiest stops in the heart of the city where private Matadors from Gandhi Nagar, Nanak Nagar, Shastri Nagar and Trikuta Nagar routes pick passengers.

What to talk of regular maintenance, a passenger shed constructed in the Gangyal area on the outskirts of the city was demolished recently. Though the shed was not in a good condition before it got demolished, but still it was utilised by commuters while waiting for transport for reaching their respective destinations.

Locals claimed that due to construction of a subway for commuters, the passenger shed was demolished. “After demolishing the shed, we were hoping that a new one will be constructed, but that did not happen,” said Sukhwinder, a shopkeeper.

Similarly, a passenger shed at the busy Bikram Chowk is also crying for immediate attention. There are no seats to sit for passengers while waiting for public transport. They have no option but to sit on iron pipes. “For male passengers it is okay, but what about female passengers who carry their children. They do not find a place to sit in the passenger shed because there are no seats”, said Vikrant, a resident of Ware House.

The condition of passenger sheds at Women College, Jewel Chowk, Amphalla, Main Stop, and Parade are also similar.

Meanwhile, RS Jamwal, Joint Commissioner (Administration), JMC, admitted that passenger sheds were not in a good condition and new sheds would be constructed soon in Jammu city.

“The JMC is planning to construct more passenger sheds at many areas in the winter capital for the convenience of commuters,” he said, adding that the existing strength of passenger sheds was not enough.

When asked about the poor maintenance of existing passenger sheds, the Joint Commissioner (Administration), JMC replied that efforts would be made to repair the damaged ones.